nwkm.1206.GingerbreadHouseContest-1

Visions of gingerbread houses will be dancing in their heads as the winners of the Annual Gingerbread House Contest will be announced at noon Saturday, Dec. 6 at the Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana Convention & Visitors Bureau, 1205 N. Lakeshore Dr.

The contest, held in conjunction with the annual Southwest Louisiana Christmas Lighting Festival, features awards in different categories including amateur, school groups, and professional bakers. Southwest Louisiana's goodwill ambassador and mascot, Gumbeaux Gator will be on hand to take pictures with the winners.

Last year, entries highlighted themes such as a teepee, castles, house boat, library, and even a Cajun house after a hurricane and more.

The winning gingerbread houses will remain on display at the bureau's Welcome Center throughout the month of December. Southwest Louisiana's residents and tourists visiting the center during the month of December will vote on the winners of their liking in both the children and adult divisions, which will be announced Tuesday, Dec. 30, at 10 a.m. at the Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana Convention and Visitors Bureau for the "People's Choice Award."